The truth about Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer's pending decision on Micah Parsons and his future role
One of the biggest questions about Dallas Cowboys' new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and his defensive philosophy revolves around Micah Parsons' future role over the next few years. How is he going to use the uber-talented defender that has proven himself as an elite pass rusher but that could also play off-ball linebacker if needed […]
One of the biggest questions about Dallas Cowboys' new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and his defensive philosophy revolves around Micah Parsons' future role over the next few years.
How is he going to use the uber-talented defender that has proven himself as an elite pass rusher but that could also play off-ball linebacker if needed given it's one of the worst positions on the roster?
During Zimmer's introductory press conference, he immediately provided some insight into the process, claiming he hadn't spoken to Parsons yet and thus he'd hold on on any details.
"I don't think I should tell you guys first before I tell him," Zimmer told reporters.
Although the question is a very important one, the reality is that Zimmer probably doesn't have as much control over it as Cowboys Nation appears to believe. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that Parsons has been way too good at rushing the passer in the first place.
The logic behind given him more snaps at off-ball linebacker is that he's too good to not be used as a chess piece. But the fact is Parsons is used as a chess piece even if he stays at the line of scrimmage, as he can rush the passer from the edge, against offensive guards, and is particularly lethal when given an opportunity to rush through the A-gap (to either shoulder of the center), something that could be a major part of Zimmer's defense.
Statistically speaking, there's no denying an elite pass rusher is much more valuable than an elite off-ball linebacker. And that's even without getting into the fact that Parsons isn't as good of a linebacker as he is rushing the passer and that he simply hasn't trained for such role since his rookie year.
But more than anything else, there's a truth that we must accept about the situation: This decision is not entirely Zimmer's to make and it probably isn't the front office's, either.
Micah Parsons will have the strongest say on what position he'll play in 2024 and beyond
I'm sure you're aware Parsons is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory three years into his NFL career. He's already got some gear in Canton, Ohio after joining Reggie White as the only two players to record at least 13 sacks in each of their first three seasons back in Week 16.
He was the only player to be double-teamed at a rate higher than 30% per ESPN and he still led the league in pass rush win rate. He's a game-changing menace when he's allowed to go after the quarterback.
Which means if Parsons wants to rush the passer… he'll rush the passer. This offseason is the first in which he'll be eligible to negotiate a contract extension with the team and assuming they don't get it done right away, you can expect the superstar to want to play the lucrative role of a pass rusher to keep racking up numbers that will inevitably translate into a record-breaking deal. The highest paid pass rusher, Nick Bosa, makes an average $34 million per year while Roquan Smith leads linebackers at $20 million per.
Chances are Parsons has already done enough to already have a humongous deal secured but a little bit extra on top will never hurt. In a recent episode of his podcast, Parsons indicated he'll always be open to doing what the coaches ask him to do, alluding to playing linebacker but he did specify "in the playoffs."
Parsons wants to get after the QB because he knows 1) it's how he can be the most valuable to a football team, which he has publicly expressed and 2) it's how he'll get paid the most, too. At the end of the day, if Zimmer hypothetically asks Parsons to move to off-ball linebacker, I think Parsons can force the Cowboys' hand and rush the passer even if they don't want him to.
The leverage here falls to the player who is a true rarity and not the coach coming in to lead the defense for a head coach on a contract year.
And you know what? That's for the best as that's where his best football takes place. Moving Parsons to another position would be a huge coaching blunder.
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